Obituary of Ronald Werner Stingelin

Ronald (Ron) Werner Stingelin, 88, of State College, passed away on Sunday, November 5, 2023 in State College, Pennsylvania.

Born on May 29, 1935 in Manhattan, New York City, he was a son of the late John and Rose (Kasper) Stingelin, Sr., formerly of Switzerland. He is survived by his wife Janet (Hummel) of 50 years; his children, Jennifer Stingelin Keefer and her husband, Matthew, of Boalsburg and R. Douglas Stingelin and his wife, Angela, of Tucson, Arizona; and three grandchildren, Julia, Sarah, and Rowan.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded by his brother, John Stingelin.

Ronald was proud of his Swiss heritage and New York City upbringing. He enjoyed cycling when he was younger and developed a love and passion for science and nature at a young age. He attended PS 168, James Otis Junior High, and Stuyvesant High School in New York City where he was a member of the Junior Astronomy Club and American Youth Hostel.

He graduated from City College of New York in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. He continued his education at Lehigh University on a research fellowship where he studied the relationship between plants and the local geology of Eastern Pennsylvania. He graduated with a Master of Science degree in 1959. He earned his Ph.D. in Geology from the Pennsylvania State University in 1965, supporting his graduate work with a Teaching Assistantship and staff appointment in the Department of Geology and Geophysics where he taught Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Paleobotany, and Geology of the United States. He conducted field research on fossil spores and pollen, organic sediments, and coal deposition, including fieldwork in the Everglades National Park in Florida. His Ph.D. research investigated the influence of climate and geology on forests in the Appalachian Mountains. His work describes forest vegetation change through history by detailing pollen accumulation in high mountain bogs, including a field site at the beloved Bear Meadows Natural Area in central Pennsylvania. His findings contribute to today's understandings of climate change and forests.

During his college years he enjoyed three meaningful summers at the historic Ten Mile River Scout Camp along the Delaware River in the Catskill Mountains of NY where he taught and mentored scouts of the Delaware Section, Division IV of the Greater NY Council, Boy Scouts of America at Ihpetonga Village. He spent the summers of 1962 and 1963 as Guest Lecturer in Geology at City College of New York through the Carnegie Teaching Internship.

Ronald began his professional career in geology in 1965 with HRB-Singer, Inc. in State College, PA where he met his future wife, Janet, and worked 15 years as a research, senior, and principal geologist. He directed research on remote sensing and geoscience data collection using aerial thermal infrared imaging. In 1968 and 1970 he participated in the National Science Foundation's Visiting Scientist program and presented lectures on remote sensing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Louisiana State University, and the Universities of Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia.

In 1980 he co-founded Resource Technologies Corporation in State College where he practiced as a Certified and Professional Geologist specializing in abandoned mines and mineral resource appraisals until retiring in 2007. He provided expert testimony, geotechnical services, and performed mineral property evaluations across the Appalachian region. In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Interior, his work and publications advanced the understanding and mapping of Anthracite coal mines and resources of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Ron was active in his profession and enjoyed attending conferences and field expeditions. A highlight was the 24th International Geological Congress in 1972 that included a 10-day excursion to Baffin Island, Canada, Alaska, and the 81st parallel in the Arctic Islands where the group studied the geology, history, and culture of the Arctic North. As a distinguished geologist, he was a Senior Fellow of the Geological Society of America and a member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists. He was a life member of the Penn State Alumni Association and enjoyed attending volleyball matches and alumni events.

Ron shared his love and passion for science and nature with his family as they enjoyed many family excursions to local, state, and national parks, forests, and museums. He and Janet continued to travel after his retirement and enjoyed trips to destinations like Alaska and locations along the St. Lawrence Seaway in New York and Canada.

The family would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the staff at Juniper Village at Brookline and Mount Nittany Medical Center for the excellent and compassionate care he received.

Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life on Saturday, December 9 at 11:30 a.m. at The Lodge at Tussey Mountain, 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg, PA 16827.

Memorial contributions in remembrance of Ronald may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, https://www.alz.org/ or to support student scholarships and activities in the Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Department of Geosciences, https://www.geosc.psu.edu/

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home. Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit them on Facebook.